The president of Haiti’s Provisional Electoral Council, Leopold Berlanger, said a new date for the presidential elections would be announced by next Wednesday at the latest after talks between various interested parties, France 24 reported.

The Category four hurricane struck towns, farmlands and resorts, toppled trees, power lines and at least one bridge – and left tens of thousands of Haitians without power.

According to NBC News, approximately 35,000 residents who lived close to the water went further inland before the storm hit. Cuban officials said these residents were either moved to higher ground with family or placed in shelters run by the state.

Hurricane and tropical storm warnings have been extended along a large stretch of Florida’s east coast ahead of Matthew’s forecast arrival on Thursday.